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Senior Education Coordinator

Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Date Posted: 12-Aug-25

Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC

Position Type: Full-time, CUPE 401

Reports to: Head of Programs

Salary Range: $50,000 – $65,000

Start Date: As soon as possible

Application Deadline: Open until filled

About Us The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) is a leading ocean research and education facility located on the traditional territories of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. BMSC is governed by the Pacific Marine Science Alliance (PMSA), a consortium including the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University, and University of Victoria.

PMSA’s mission is to inspire transformational relationships with the ocean through impactful scientific research and education. As part of its new strategic vision, PMSA has launched EMPOWER: Ecocosms and Mesocosms Predict Ocean Weather and Ecological Response, supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. This initiative aims to enhance our understanding of near-shore ocean weather and its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem health. BMSC is currently building education programs that are strategically aligned with research priorities, including a large grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC PROMOSCIENCE) to the promote science in these areas.

Position Overview

The Senior Education Coordinator (SEC) oversees the coordination and delivery of strategic programming in BMSC Field Trips and Outreach initiatives, while working closely with and supporting BMSC’s other education programs. Reporting to the Head of Programs or equivalent, the SEC leads the development, coordination, and evaluation of strategic teaching programs, supervision of education staff, and integrates research-based content into immersive, hands-on marine science experiences for students of all ages. The position also assists in the coordination and development of grants and funding initiatives. As such, this position plays a key role in aligning programming with BMSC’s PromoScience and PMSA strategic goals, supporting equity-focused engagement, and fostering respectful collaboration with Indigenous partners, including the Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

Key Responsibilities

PromoScience Vision Execution

• Design and implement hands-on marine science programming aligned with BMSC’s PromoScience and strategic objectives.
• Develop curriculum modules on coastal restoration and sustainable technologies, biodiversity conservation, and human-ocean interactions. Oversee online programming for remote and underrepresented students.
• Deliver engaging, hands-on science education in both classroom and outdoor settings.
• Assist in the collection of evaluations and feedback on the program

Educational Leadership & Coordination

• Supervise, mentor, and schedule programming for all field trip staff, including Coordinators, Marine Science Educators and Seasonal Instructors.
• Support K-12 and university field trips, ensuring program quality and safety.
• Collaborate on permitting, logistics, and integration of research into academic programming.
• Support development and sustainability of the Field Trip Program in alignment with BMSCs Strategic Plan.

Conferences, Workshops, And Outreach

• Organize scientific symposia, public events, and educator workshops.
• Coordinate all event logistics including housing, meals, and site setup.

Community And Indigenous Engagement

• Build partnerships with Indigenous communities, schools, and external organizations.
• Integrate Indigenous knowledge and support culturally grounded learning experiences.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA)

• Develop programs that reduce barriers for underrepresented groups (e.g., Indigenous, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth).
• Support bursary and travel initiatives to promote access and inclusion.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• MSc or PhD in Marine Science or a related discipline (equivalent experience may be considered).
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in marine science education, program delivery, and staff supervision.
• Expertise in marine science curriculum design.
• Proven leadership in managing teams and educational programs.
• Strong intercultural communication and relationship-building skills.
• Familiarity with EDIA principles and applying them in educational settings.
• Experience developing curriculum and teaching or mentoring in field or classroom settings.

Additional Requirements

• Valid BC driver’s license.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records and Vulnerable Sector check.
• Flexibility to work evenings/weekends as required.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Tao Eastham, Head of Programs, at teastham@bamfieldmsc.com. Please submit documents as PDFs, clearly labeled with your last name and the position title (e.g., “Lastname_SEC_CoverLetter” or “Lastname_SEC_CV”).

For more information about BMSC, please visit: https://bamfieldmsc.com

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

BMSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.